House Democratic Leader Robert Reives Statement on “Budget Week” in NC House
“We have several serious deadlines bearing down on us over the next few weeks. To use this week to pass a budget bill that cannot become law is disrespectful and disingenuous to the people that put us here,” House Democratic Leader Robert Reives said. “State Senate Leadership has made it clear they are not participating in this theater.”
“Our budget process is broken. Recent practice has been to amend the two year State Budget via a conference report drawn up in secret by legislative leaders. No transparency to the public or most legislators, no open committee input, and no opportunity for amendments.”
“I am sure the 2010 budget process had its flaws, but it is a stark contrast to what we are doing this year and what we have done in recent years. Taxpayers, state employees, education professionals and ten million North Carolinians deserve better.”
2010 Short Session Budget Timeline in the NC House
- May 20: Budget Bill (SB 897) passes NC Senate
- May 24: NC House holds a three hour public hearing to hear from the public. Citizens could speak for up to 2 minutes or submit written feedback on the 2010 Budget. The hearing was held in-person in Raleigh with remote participation available in Dublin, Sylva and Charlotte
- June 1: House Finance gives SB 897 a favorable report
- June 2: House Appropriations gives SB 897 a favorable report after hearing 77 amendments
- June 3: NC House approves SB 897 on Second Reading after hearing 31 amendments
- June 4: NC House approves SB 897 on Third Reading just after midnight
- June 7: House and Senate conferees appointed
- June 28: Conference Report reported
- June 29: NC House approves the Conference Report on Second Reading
- June 30: NC House approves the conference report on Third Reading and Governor Perdue signs it into law
